Disadvantaged Business Enterprises (DBE) Program is project-specific; the RFP will specify whether DBE compliance is required.

Details:

Pursuant to United States Code of Federal Regulations Title 49—Transportation, Subtitle A, Part 26 (49 CFR 26), Executive Directive No. 2001-26 of Mayor Richard Riordan and the Provisions of Resolution No. 19765 of the Board of Airport Commissioners, it is the policy of Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA) to provide Disadvantaged Business Enterprises (DBEs) an equal opportunity to participate in the performance on all LAWA contracts. The objective of this policy is to achieve the participation of DBEs at levels comparable to their availability to provide goods and services to Los Angeles World Airports, with the ultimate goal of developing their status and expertise so that they may compete for future contracts on an equal basis.

Failure to meet this DBE participation level will not by itself be the basis for disqualification or determination of noncompliance with this policy. However, it is incumbent on the Bidder/Proposer to submit appropriate documentation to demonstrate that a "good faith effort" was made to reach out to DBEs. Failure to submit the requested good faith effort documentation within three days of notification by LAWA or failure to pass good faith effort evaluation will render the bid/proposal non-responsive and will result in its rejection.

A Disadvantaged Business Enterprises is defined as:

A "small business concern" as defined by the Small Business Administration, that is at least 51% owned by one or more socially and economically disadvantaged individuals and the management and daily business operations are controlled by one or more of these socially and disadvantaged owners. These firms are essentially the same as Minority Business Enterprises (MBEs) and Women Business Enterprises (WBEs) except that the size of the firm is also a factor. Federally-funded or federally-assisted projects use DBEs rather than MBE and WBEs. The qualifying size of a firm depends on the type of industry.